Degree-day registering device



Feb. 9, 1954 E. D. HIDY 2,668,445

DEGREE-DAY REGISTERING DEVICE www 55525K I Filed July 22, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet l @4 -ml/u/M- 'llIllIlllIll/lll V I INVENTOR. EL M0 /f /ar BY Auorng Feb. 9;"1954 E. D. HIDY DEGREE-DAY REGISTERING DEVICE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 22, 1949 JNVENTOR. Elmo D. H/o Y /Ei@ Anorpej 1H||||II||||| Feb. 9, 1954 E, D, HIDY 2,668,445

DEGREE-DAY REGISTERING DEVICE Filed July 22, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 la7 5 8S.

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H7 loa [/5'4 '77 177 )3, /07 I4 Feb. 9, 1954 E. D. HIDY DEGREE-DAY REGISTERING DEVICE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed July 22, 1949 34 le l Llaas (/5 INVENTOR. fLMo D. //oy BY W m Aeeorhg] Patented Feb. 9, 17954 UNITED STATES eATENT OFFICE- 14 Claims. 1

This invention relates to improvements in a degree-day registering device and particularly to a device of this character which automatically registers and accumulates the degree-days.

This invention relates to improvements in the structure and device disclosed in applicants pending application Serial No. 10,651 iiled February 25, 1948.

In View of the sensitiveness of the degree-day registering device and the atmosphere in which it may be employed, it was found that normal vibration and minute particles of dust and foreign material may cause inaccurate recordings in the structure. In order to avoid these possible inaccuracies the mechanism of the present invention was developed with particular reference to the operation of the counting mechanism as effected by the register.

The principal object, therefore, of this invention is the provision of a mechanism which will register only degree-day changes.

Another object of this invention is the provision of control mechanism for the accumulator or register which prohibits its operation except to register temperature change when it occurs.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a degree-day recording device including a counting mechanism wherein the operation of the counter is delayed to insure the registering of a degree-day instead of an inadvertent or false operation of the counter.

A still further object of this invention is the provision of a device for accomplishing the foregoing objects that is of simple yet sturdy construction commensurate with the purposes to be performed.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention should be readily apparent by reference to the following specification considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof and it is to be understood that any modifications may be made in the exact structural details there shown and described, within the scope of the appended claims, Without departing from or exceeding the spirit of the invention.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation 'of a degree-day register and accumulating device embodying the improvements of this invention.

Fig. 2 is a sectional View, as seen from line 2 2 thereon, through the housing or cabinet of the operating mechanism illustrating said mechanism in elevation.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional View through a portion of the dial as seen from line 3 3 on Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a plan View of the operating mechanism and the counter or accumulating mechanism as seen from line 4 4 on Fig. 2, said View showing certain shafts and the enclosing cabinet or housing in cross-section.

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view through the operating mechanism as seen from line 5 5 on Fig. 4.

Fig. 6' is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view illustrating the mounting of the dial on the motor as seen from line 6 6 on Fig. 1.

Fig. '7 is a slightly enlarged sectional view through the counter actuating mechanism as seen from line 1 1 on Fig. 4.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged sectional view through the counter mechanism taken through a plane beyond that of Fig. '7 on line 8 8 on Fig. 4.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged sectional view through the counter mechanism taken in a plane beyond that of Fig. 8 on line 9 9 on Fig. 4.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged sectional view through the counter mechanism taken on line 8 8 on Fig. 4 but looking in the opposite direction from the arrows on said line 8 8.

Fig. 11 is an enlarged View partly in section and partly in elevation illustrating the coupling between the counting device and the motor or motor shaft.

Fig. 12 is a wiring diagram of the various electrical circuits in operation in the mechanism of the present invention.

Fig. 13 is a vertical sectional view through a counting mechanism illustrating a slight modiiication therein over that illustrated at the upper end of Fig. 4.

Fig. 14 is a sectional view through the modified counting mechanism as seen from line |4 |4 on Fig. 13.

Throughout the several views of the drawings similar reference characters are employed to denote the same or similar parts.

In the use of oil for heating homes and the like use is made of a storage tank from which the said oil is fed to the burners. The burners are controlled by valves operated automatically from a thermostat or gaugelocated within the area being heated. The thermostat or other control device is set to maintain a given degree of heat regardless of the temperature exteriorly of the space being controlled,

It has been found that beyond a 'certain temperature, exteriorly, the temperature in the space being heated must be raised in order to be comtablished as the norm is 65 F. which will be used` as the norm in describing the present application.

It has been established, each heating plant will utilize a denite amount of fuel oil to maintain a given interior temperature for a given time period, a twenty-four hour day, for example, for each degree of temperature drop exteriorly. This rate of fuel oil consumption is established for each heating plant by observing thel user for a given period of time and noting the amount of fuel. oil consumed and the number of` degree-days for this period whereby it can be determined how many degree-days willv pass between the time of iilling his reserve or storage tank andthe next filling required. It is the purpose of the present invention to automatically count and register these degree-days so that a supplier'can maintain an ac'- curate record of the passing degrees andY thereby maintain a record as to when additional fuel oil supply is required.

Specifically, the device of the present` invention comprises a housing or casing I4 havingv a back l5V from which upstands a top IE, a bottom I7 and sides I6 and I9. The cabinet is adapted to be closed by a lid or cover 23' comprising a panel 2e, see Fig. 2, of an area substantially equal to the area of the cabinet back l5 and' having upstanding from thev edges thereof flanges 2|, 22, 23 and 24. The flanges 2|-24 are channeled as at 25, see Fig. 5,` to receive therein a rubber gasket 26 that is pressed into sealing engagement with the upper edges of the cabinet walls |6|9 when the cover 26 is closed. For convenience the cabinet side Wall lsf has projecting therefrom hinge lugs 2 for alignment with similar hinge lugs 23 projecting from the cover flange 23 with said lugs having passing therethrough pivot or hinge bolts or pins 29. In order to lock the lid or cover in its closed position the cabinet side wall I8 is provided with a latch hook 3i)v cooperating with an elongated latch lever` 3| on the cover wallV or flange 24. The lid or cover panel 26 is provided centrally thereof with an opening covered by a glass window 3|', see Fig. 2, through which the interior of the cabinet, particularly the operating dial, later tol be made clear, may be observed.

Interiorly of the cabinet and carried by the back panelV l5 is an electric clock 32 of the usual construction utilized in recording. thermometers and having projecting therefrom a driven. shaft 33. The clock 32 may be of a construction to make a single revolution of its shaft 33 in each twenty-four hours but preferably is so geared that the shaft 33 makes a complete revolution each twelve hours.

Secured to for rotation with the clock shaft 33 is a disc 34 and which connection may take any suitable or desirable construction. As shown in Fig. 6 this construction comprises the formation of screw threads 35 on the clock shaft 33 receiving a carrier 36 which has substantially mid-way of its height a radially projecting frange 3l, which nange in plan view is preferably formed as hexagonal in shape so that it can readily be screwed home on the clock shaft 33. Upstanding from the radial flange 31 the carrier 35 has a counterbored post 38 of a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of a bore 39 substantially centrally of the disc 34. The post 36 is internally threaded to receive a stud 40 externally threaded and projecting from a cap member 4|. The cap member 4| has a ange 42 for encircling the hollow post 36 whose free edge engages the disc 34 in clamping engagement around the aperture 39 therein.

From the foregoing it should be noted that the disc 34 makes a complete revolution with the clock shaft 33.

The disc 34 is adapted, as will presently be made clear, to form one side of an electrical circuit in registering degree-days and for this reason should have a surface that is normally nonconductive whiley permitting conduction through the disc at proper and desirable intervals. Asv

shown in Figs. l and 3 the disc 34 has aback or body portion 43from the forward face of which upstands a plurality of bars or Contact strips` 44. tis contemplated that the disc 34 will have its .face etched between the bars 44 thereby providing for the major portion of the face of the disc to be recessed. After the said recesses are formed they are lled with insulating material 45 thereby making non-conductive areas between the upstanding bars or contact strips 44.

In practice the disc 34 is laid out in a series of theoretical. concentric circular bands 46 from a point as near the center or aperture 39 as practical to the outer perimeter of the disc. Each cir cular band 46 radially from the center represents a drop of ve degrees in temperature which is traversed by a stylus in the same manner that a recording thermometer traverses a recordingr dial. In other words the circle 4'|V on the inner edge of the band 4B and the circle 43 at the outer edge of the band 46 represents a drop in temperature from 65 F. to 60 F. In. the same manner the next band 4S having its inner edge repre' sented by the circle 48 and its outer edge by the circle 5B represent a further drop of iive degrees temperature or a temperature of from 60 F. to 55 F. Each of the bands representing ve degrees temperature drop is divided into segments by the bars or contact strips 44 that it is below the established norm. Since the band 46 represents a five degree drop in temperature below a norm of 65 F. it is provided with iive bars or contact strips 44 with ve insulating segments between said bars. The second band 49 representing a maximum of ten degrees drop below the norm of 65 F. is provided with ten bars or contact strips 44 and therefore ten segments of insulation. Each band of ve degree temperature drop beyond the band indicated at 49 to the periphery of the disc is correspondingly divided wherefore the outermost band representing a temperature of between 25 F. and 30 F. below Zero represents a maximum of F. below the norm of 65 F. wherefore this band, indicated by the reference numeral 5|, would be divided by ninety-five bars or contact strips 44 to establish ninety-five segments of insulatin'T material therein. As will subsequently be made clear these bars or contact strips 44 are employed for registering theV degreedays.

Cooperating with the dial 34 is a stylus comprising a head 52 having a ball point 53 secured in any suitable or desirable manner, as by a screw 54, to an arm 55. The arm 55 is formed as a spring member and biased to have a rm contact with the face of the dial 34. If desired, and to insure a firm contact between the stylus ball end or point 53 and the face of the disc 34 the said stylus may be spring backed.

The arm 55 is adapted to be swung away from the center of the dial 34 upon a decline in temperature and to be swung toward the dial center when the temperature rises and for which purpose the arm is carried by a bracket 55 which in turn, see Fig. 2, has a depending arm 57 attached through a nger 58 to a pivot shaft 59. The pivot shaft 59 is mounted for oscillatory movement in the top plate 60 and bottom plate 5| of a supporting bracket indicated in general by the reference numeral 62. Any suitable or desirable means such as posts 63 are utilized to separate the said top and bottom plates from one another while suitable means such as pillars 64 may be employed for securing the bracket 82 in operative position to the cabinet back panel I5. The chief purpose of this bracket 52 and the parts just described is to provide a sensitive pivoted mounting for the stylus arm 55.

The pivot shaft 59 is oscillated upon an increase and decrease in the outside temperature for which purpose it has secured to it, intermediate its ends, a lever 65 to the outer end of which is pivotly connected, as at 66, one end of a link 61. The link 6l at its other end is provided with an elongated aperture 68 through which projects a pin 69 associated with an operating arm 10.

The pin 69 is retained, yieldably, against the inner, right-hand, as seen in Fig. 4, end of the elongated aperture 58 by yielding means which may take any suitable or desirable form of construction for a purpose presently to be made clear. Specifically, this means comprises a spring 1| having one end anchored, as at i2, to the link 6l and its other end 'I3 secured to a carrier 'I4 adjustably secured through an elongated aperture 'I5 to arm 19. Screws I5 are employed to secure the carrier 14 in position with the pin 69, carried thereby, in its desired position with respect to link elongated aperture 68.

The arm 'l0 is secured through an enlargement4 15, at its lower end, to a coil 'I'I which is a hollow tube-like member under coil spring tension and adapted to be uncoiled as pressure therein, due to reduction in outside temperature, is varied or changed.

The coil 'IT is formed at the end of a tube I8 which is secured or anchored in position by a clamp 'I9 to the cabinet back I5. The tube I8 is illustrated as having at its inner end a very `small diameter tube 8| which passes outwardly through the cabinet bottom I'I into a sheath cable S2. The cable 82 and tube 8| may be of any desired length and terminate in a mounting coupling 83 which in turn carries the member 84 which is sensitive to temperature changes in the surrounding atmosphere and which member 84 is commercially known as a mercury bulb. The changing density of the mercury in the mercury bulb sets up the pressure in the tubes 8| and 'I8 which permits the uncoiling of the coil 'l1 or causes same to coil thereby oscillating the arm 'I0 and causes the shifting of the link 91.

rihe mechanism hereinbefore described for actuating the link 61 and the stylus arm 55 are known having been employed in substantially this form in recording thermometers.

Mounted on the top Wall |6 of the operating mechanism cabinet is the degree-day counting mechanism indicated in general by the reference numeral 85. The counting mechanism comprises a plurality of rolls or counting wheels 85 each having on its periphery the numerals l through 0 (10) and which numerals are to be successively moved, one at a time, as is usual in counting devices, to a given position for reading purposes. In order to actuate said counting wheels 85 they have each associated therewith a gear 8'! operated by a pinion (not shown) associated with and driven by a shaft 88. The shaft 88 has its ends rotatably mounted in a bracket end plates or uprights 89 and 90. The shaft 88 is driven through a disc 9| at the forward end thereof with said disc receiving its power or rotative force from an electric motor 92 through any suitable or desirable transmission train such as will be presently described. The counting device just briefly described is well known and forms no part of the present invention except in combination.

As seen in the drawings the transmission train between the motor 92 and counter driving shaft actuating disc 9| comprises a pinion 93 on the shaft of motor 92 driving a gear 94 which has associated therewith for rotation therewith a pinion 95 which in turn meshes with a gear 95. The gear 94 and its pinion 95 are mounted for rotation about the axis of a shaft 91 rotatably journaled between spaced plates 98 and 99. The plate 98 is carried by the housing of the motor 92 while the plate 99 is carried by an upright |09 forming a part of the counter mounting bracket which includes the uprights 89 and 90 joined by the bracket base I0 I.

The gear 96 is keyed or otherwise secured to one end of a shaft |02 which is journaled for rotation in plate 99 and bracket upright |00 to project therebeyond and have secured thereto discs |09 and |04. The disc |04, see Fig. ll, has projecting therefrom a pair of driving pins |05 and |95 which are adapted to enter slots |01 and |99 in the counter driving shaft disc 9|.

From the foregoing, it will be noted that rotation of the motor 92 through the gear train 93-96 rotates the shaft |02 which through the disc |04 and its projecting driving pins |05 and |05 rotates the counter driving shaft disc |04 to thereby effect the operation of the counting wheels 86. The driving pins |05 and I 06 with the slots |01 and |08 in the disc 9| constitutes one form of an Oldham coupling which is employed to compensate for slight eccentricity or out of alignment between driving and driven tandem shafts. It should be noted that the connection between the counter driving shaft 88 and the first counting wheel 86' is such that a complete revolution of said shaft 09 and the motor driven shaft |02 rotates the said counting wheel 86 one-tenth of a revolution for thereby advancing, successively, the numbers thereon to a given position. The connection between the counting Wheel 86 and its adjacent counting Wheel 55, and including the gear 81 therebetween, as well as the connection between each of the succeeding counting wheels 85 and including the gear 8l of each of said rollers, is such that a complete revolution of each counting wheel is necessary for the advancement of the next following counting wheel and then only through a tenth of a revolution with said movement being effected during the last tenth of a revolution of the preceding counting wheel, this construction being well known in counters.

The disc |03, in addition to establishing a connection between. the shaft |02 and the shaft 88, and the disc |04, respectively operate an electric switch |03 and ||0, such switches being of the type known. commercially as micro switches. For this purpose the disc |03, see Fig. 7, is provided in its periphery with a notch into which may be positioned a roller ||2 at the end of a plunger or switch arm H3 associated therewith for operating the mechanism of the microswitch |09. Similarlyy the disc |04, see Fig. 8, is provided in its periphery with a notch I4, similar to the notch in the disc |03, for receiving therein a roller ||5 carried by the operating plunger or arm I6 of the microswitch H0. As will presently be described the microswitch |09 controls the rotation of the counter actuating mechanism motor 92 while the switch i0 controls one or more magnetic counter mechanisms that may be positioned at points remote vfrom the actuating mechanism.

The electric current for the degree-day recorder and accumulator is obtained from any suitable source through plug part or connecting member ||1 which has its prongs H3 and |10 respectively connected with insulated wires and |2| which terminate in a double pole, single throw switch |22 conveniently mounted on the base or back l5 of the housing. Extending from the switch |22 are wires |23 and |24 that are connected at their other ends with the clock motor |25 in a manner usual in electric clock motor construction.

Extending also from the switch |22 are wires |26 and |21 which terminate at the opposite ends of the primary coil |23, see Fig. 12, of a stepdown transformer |29 that supplies low voltage current for additional counters and the control circuits. Further extending from the switch |22 are wires |30 and |3| the former wire |33 terminating in a connection |32 of a relay switch assembly |33 and which connection |32 has associated therewith a xed electrical contact |34, while the latter wire |3| terminates in a terminal, see Fig. l2, |35 of the clock motor 92. Finally extending from the switch |22, preierably from the wires |26 and |21, are wires |33 and |31 which terminate in the coil |30 of an electromagnet |39 mounted adjacent the counting mechanism for a purpose presently to be made clear.

The transformer |29 has extending from the ends of its secondary coil |40 wires |4| and |42. The wire |4| has its end attached to a terminal |43 of the relay switch |33 and to which terminal is likewise connected one end of the coil |44 of said relay |33. The wire |42 has its end connected to a xed Contact |45 of the microswitch |59 with a connection or wire |45 extending from the wire |42, intermediate its ends, to the bracket G2 which has associated therewith the stylus arm 55 and since this arm has metal to metal contact with the bracket 62 it is electrically connected with the wire 42.

rIhe microswitch |09 is adapted to have its xed contact |45 bridged with a second xed contact |41 by a movable contact |43 which is operated and controlled by the plunger or lever |13, see Fig. 12. Extending from the fixed contact |41 of the microswitch |03 is a wire |49 that terminates in a connector carried by the plate |5| of the clock motor 32. Since this plate |51 has a metal to metal contact with the disc 43 due to the connection of said disc with the flange 31 of the carrier 36 the said wire |43 is thereby electrically connected with the disc 43. The wire |49 is, intermediate its ends, attached to a connector |52 associated with the relay |33 and the said connector |52 has likewise connected therewith the other end of the relay switch coil Centrally of the coil |44, as is usual practice, is a core |53 adapted to be magnetized upon current flow through the coil |44, as seen in Fig. l2. The core |53 is adapted to actuate a movable contact |54 into engagement with the xed contact |34 of the relay |33. Extending from the relay movable contact |54 is a wire |55 that terminates at its endv in a connector |55 associated with the counter actuating motor 92, see Fig. 12.

The wire |55 is illustrated in Fig. 4 as connected with a connector |51 associated with the relay |33 and it is this connector |51 that is connected with the relay movable contact |54.

Extending from the connector |43 of the relay switch is a second wire |58 that terminates in a plug part |59 and which plug part, as will presently be made clear, is adapted to be connected with a second or remote counter such as a magnetic counter, .'xtending from the plug part |59 is a second wire |39 terminating in a xed contact |61 of the microswitch H3. The xed contact |61 is adapted to be bridged to or connected with a second iixed contact |82 by a movable contact |63 which is associated with and operated by the plunger or lever H5. The fixed contact |82 of the microswitch i0 has extending therefrom a wire |34 which has its other end connected with the wire |42 and therefore the other side of the transformer secondary coil |40.

As seen in Fig. 12 the plug part |53 has adjacent thereto and connected therewith a plug part from which extends wires |65 and |31, which are in effect continuations of wires |58 and |55, and which wires, |56 and |61, terminate in the actuating mechanism (not shown) of the magnetic counter |68.

The counting mechanism 85 and its drive are suitably housed in an enclosing housing which is conveniently formed of two parts, the one part including the housing back |60 from the ends of which outwardly project the end walls |15 and |1I. The second housing part includes the top |12 and front |13 in which is formed an opening or window |14 suitably closed by a transparent member such as a sheet of glass |15. Any suitable or desirable means may be employed for securing the glass window |15 in position such as a frame |16 secured to the housing front |13 by screws or the like |11. In order to access to the interior of the counting mechanism. housing the free edge of the housing tcp |12 is hingedly connected to the upper edge oi the housing back |09 by means of a hinge |113. From the foregoing it will be noted that the housing top |12 and iront |13 are actuated as a unit about the axis of the hinge |13. The said` housing top |12 and front |13 are prevented from being inadvertently opened by the operating mechanism cabinet front which has its flange 2| arranged to extend above the cabinet top S3 as seen in Figs. 7, 8 and l0.

Mountedv within the counter mechanism housing is a shutter which is employed to notify the operator when a current interruption occurred which of course would mean that the mechanism may have been out of operation for a time and that the recorded degree-days may not be correct. The shutter is substantially 9 U-shaped and comprises a body member |19 having arms |80 and |8| depending from the opposite ends of the body member |19. The shutter arms |80 and 8| are rotatably or oscillatably journaled on the counting wheels drive shaft 33. In order that the shutter may be retained in its operative position it is provided with a foot |62 for engagement with the holding magnet core |83 of holding magnet |39.

When the switch |22 is turned on the holding magnet |39 is energized whereupon the shutter is manually moved to the solid line position thereof in Fig. 9 thereby bringing the magnet core |83 and shutter foot |82 into operative engagement whereupon the magnet holds the shutter in its operative position with the body member |79 thereof in the position illustrated in Fig. 4. Current interruption in the circuit will deenergize the magnet core |83 whereupon the shutter falls to the position illustrated in phantom lines in Fig. 9 which brings the body member |19 in front of the window |74 to pre-- vent reading of the numerals on the counting wheels 66. As desired the forward face of the shutter body member |19 may be provided with a suitable legend informing the operator of the current interruption and possible inaccurate recording of degree-days, the inaccurate recording being occasioned by the fact that any degreedays that occurred during the current interruption would not be recorded or included in the gure of degree-days. In this event the operator will have to consult weather records and charts to determine the number of degree-days that occurred during the shut-01T of current and will have to adjust the device to indicate the proper number of degree-days which can be done manu-- ally by actuating the driven disc 9|.

The operation of the complete device is as follows:

The cabinet housing the operating mechanism is mounted in position so that the mercury bulb 84 will be subjected to the outside temperature or atmosphere preferably on the north wall of the building. The wires |20 and |2|, through their plug part are connected with an electric current source whereupon the switch |22 is closed, The counting mechanism shutter is then posin tioned as above described to permit observation of the counting wheels 86 through the win-dow |14. The magnetic counter mechanism |69 is then positioned at any desirable point where it can be observed, in the event that a magnetic counter is employed. The point of mounting of the magnetic counter |68 may be on a desk or other support considerably removed from the operating mechanism and since the circuit which operates it is of a low voltage, no appreciable problem of installation is encountered. It should be noted that any number of magnetic counters may be employed, they being connected in parallel in the wires |66 and |61 or a suitable outlet plug |59 may be employed into which a plurality of plug parts |65 may be connected with each of said plug parts being connected with a separate magnetic counter |68.

The closing of switch |22 eiected the energication of the clock motor 32 which caused a rotation of the dial 34. It should be noted that the dial 34 around its periphery and beyond the last temperature band is provided with a band |84 which may be conveniently divided into segments representing the hours in a complete revolution of the disc and since it isldesirable that the disc make a complete revolution each twelve hours, the disc, illustrated in the drawings, is so divided with each segment carrying a numeral indieating the hour. The said segments and hour indications cooperate with a suitable marker preferably provided on the cabinet cover window 3|. At the time of starting the degree-day recorder the dise is adjusted prior to being secured to the carrier 36 to indicate the proper time after which it will remain in proper time position except during current interruption and which disc will then indicate the elapsed time during the interruption.

During the rotation of the dial 34 the changes in the atmosphere acting on the mercury bulb 84 cause the arm 55 to swing outwardly of the dial center, or to the left as seen in Fig. 1, upon a decline in said temperature. If the temperature is above the norm, 65 F., the arm 55 will be swung toward the center of the disc 34 inwardly of the circle 47 which forms the inner edge of temperature band 46. The said inward swinging of the arm 55 will continue until a stop |86, upstanding from the bottom plate 6| of the supporting bracket 62, is encountered. The reason for this is that no purpose is gained by swinging the arm past the center of the disc 34, or to the right thereof, as at this time the temperature is above that at which additional heat within the building is desired or needed. In order to permit of the holding of the arm 55 by the stop |86 the spring is expanded thereby allowing the operating arm 10 to move its actuating pin 69 in the link elongated aperture 68.

Assuming that the temperature acting on the mercury bulb 84 is between 50 F. and 55 F. the arm stylus 52 will be in the temperature band outwardly of the band 49, as illustrated in the drawings, and which temperature band 5x5- 50, representing a maximum of 15 F. below the norm of 65 F., will have therein fteen bars or Contact points 44. As the dial 34 is rotated it successively makes contact with the bars or contact points 44 through the stylus point 53 and thereby makes or completes an electrical circuit as follows: from one end of the step-down transformer secondary coil |40 through wire |08, wire or connector |46, bracket 62, stylus arm 55, stylus 52, disc contact or bar 44 and disc back 43, carrier 36 and metallic parts of the clock motor 32, clock plate |5i, connector |50, wire |49, wire or connector |52, relay switch coil |44, wire or connector |43, and wire |42 to the other end of said transformer secondary coil |40.

The energization of the relay coil |44 through its core |53 actuates the movable contact |54 for completing an electrical circuit to the counter motor 92. This circuit to the counter motor 92 is as follows: from the switch |22 through the wire |30 to a wire or connector 434 associated with the relay |33, xed contact |34, movable contact |54, Wire |55, motor contact 55, motor contact |35, wire |3| to the switch |22. This then starts the motor 92 in operation for driving the gear train 93-96 and therefrom the shaft |02 and the print wheel 86.

It is presumed that the electrical circuit which energized the relay switch |33 was made between the stylus point 53 and contact strip or bar 44 and that this contact was a solid one. If the counter was of the magnetic type a registering would have been made immediately and if the stylus chattered on the strip or bar 44 each chatter would have been registered as a degree-day and thereby set up a false total. As was pointed out above the face of the dial is etched to provide the bars 44 with the portions of the face between said bars as recesses filled with an insulation .inaterial to prevent .electrical contact. In the levent that the said etching was not complete enough to remove all material but allowed minute portions to project from the back i3 of the disc and this were engaged by the stylus poi-nt S a circuit would have been completed and the register actuated thereby again setting up a false tot-al and reading on the counter. In the `eve-nt that Yone `of these possible difficult-ies was present and closed the electrical circuit which operated the counter motor S2 had occurred as soon as the circuit was again Vbroken the relay switch coil ifi-i would have been -deenergized thereby allowing the movable contact |5i to fall away frein the fixed contact |34 by gravity or be yielda-bly separated as by spring |88, see Fig. l2, thereby breaking the circuit tothe motor 12 and stopping the counting mechanism. 1I, however, the circuit was made in proper order, that is, by engagement of the stylus point 53 with a Vbar the motor 92 is -started 4and a holding circuit is established so that if the circuit is then `broken by a piece of foreign material on the dial M, or for lsome other reason, the counting mechanism will continue to operate until the recorder has properly recorded the degree-day.

This is accomplished -by the cam disc ict' Von the shaft |02 which, as noted above, has therein the depression or seat and in which is disposed the roller ||2 of the switch |05 which upon be' rotated causes the roller i2 to be ejected from the depression or seat and gradually fforce the plunger |'3 to a switch closing position which is the bridging of contacts |45 and 'by the movable Contact |68. It will be appreciated that the counter motor -92 will of necessity have to operate for a reasonable time before the switch |09 is closed to complete the holding circuit for the motor `92. This holding circuit is as follows: from one `engl of the transformer secondary coil VIM) through -wire rlll-i to the connector U53, relay switch coil |44, wire or connector |52, wire li, switch fixed contact |41, movable contact tilt, fixed contact U55 and wire 142 to the other end of said secondary lcoil |46 for thereby energizing the -coil |44 of the relay switch |33. lt will be noted that the breaking of the circuit which includes the arm 55, stylus point 52 and disc contact bars d4 cannot now break the circuit so that the counter motor -92 continues to rotate. This rotation of the counter motor 92 continues until the cam disc seat again registers with the roller |12 whereupon the switch |09 is broken and thereby deenergizes the relay switch coil lili. for stopping the rotation of said counter motor 92. It lshould be noted that the cam 4disc it@ made `one complete revolution which advanced the counting wheel 85 to register the next number thereon and that the time consumed for this purpose was sufficient to permit a rotation ci the disc or dial 34 so that the contact bar 45, which initiated the operation of the counter motor, is now beyond the stylus point -53 so that 'the circuit including the said stylus point 53 and cam bar di isbroken which permitted the counter motor l to be stopped upon the opening of the switch itil.

The magnetic counter |68 was operated kduring the rotation of the motor 92 but was only operated after the electrical circuit had been completed for insuring the operation of the counter motor '92 through a complete revolution and after it had been determined that Athe contact was a true and not a false one.

It will be noted from Fig. 12 that the circuit to the magnetic counter |61 is normally closed and this circuit is as follows: from Vone end of transformer secondary-coil |40 through wire Uil, connector |43, wire |58, plug parts |59 and |65, wire |65, magnetic counter actuating mechanism (not shown in the drawings), wire |61, plug parts |65 and |59, wire i513, fixed contact ll, movable contact |53, fixed Contact |82, and Wires |64 and |42 to the other end of the secondary coil |40. The cam disc |05 is rotated in unison with the cam disc |i3 and, as noted above, has in its periphery a depression or seat |54, radially displaced with respect to the seat in cam disc |53, which during the rotation thereof and after the closing of the switch |09 is brought into registry with the roller i I5 on the plunger or arm Iii of the switch Iii which permits the said plunger I6 to operate for breaking the Contact of movable contact |63 from the fixed contacts |6| and |52 thereby permitting a resetting of the magnetic counter operating mechanism (noted above as not shown in the drawings). Continued rotation of the cam disc |04 ejects the roller ||5 from the depression or seat for thereby again bridging contacts 6| and |62 by the movable contact |63 and complete the normally complete circuit and operate the magnetic counter operating mechanism for indicating on said magnetic counter an additional degree-day.

From the foregoing it will be noted that the magnetic counter |63 is actuated only when the counting wheels 8S are actuated so that the counting mechanisms are always in agreement.

From the foregoing it will be noted that the counting mechanisms or devices are delayed or may be stopped except when a degree-day is to be registered and that false readings are pre- Vented which may occur if a direct connection is maintained between the dial and the operating mechanism.

In those rare instances where something may happen or occur to prevent the oscillation of the arm 55 to the left., or when manually holding the arm 55 in a position to per-mit adjustment of the dial 34, and in order to prevent springing or damaging of the arm 5|, or link 6l and parts connected and operated thereby, there is Provided a yielding or -cushioning connection between the arm 55 and the Ylink 61. This connection comprises the bracket 56 pivoted at |89 to one end of the arm 55 and which bracket .56 has pivoted to and upstanding therefrom a stud through which loosely passes a screw |9|. The screw |9| is encircled by a compressible spring |92 which abuts on one end with the stud |90 and on the other en d with an abutment |93 integral with or secured to the screw intermediate its ends. The screw |9| has adjustable threaded engagement with a second stud |93 pivoted to and opstanding from the arm 55.

As seen from Fig. 4 the operation of this yielding connection is as follows: assuming a movement to the left of the link I(il, an oscillation of the bracket 56 will vbe effected and a movement oi the stud |90 along the screw |9| will occur and compress the spring |92 between the said-stud |90 and the collar |93. It is to be understood that this is merely a safety measure vand in no wise interferes with the normal operation of the parts.

It is to .be understood that a degree-day is a drop of one degree below the established norm in a twenty-four hour period, wherefore if the temperature were 50 F. for a twenty-four hour period there would be fteen degree-.days in said twenty-four .hour period. By utilizing a clock and dial that make a complete revolution in twelve hours and with the dail marked oif in divisions for each degree of drop the recorder would register twice for each degree of temperature drop. To compensate for this the counter may be supplied with a counting Wheel or register utilizing one-half digits as disclosed in the magnetic counter in Fig. 12 and requiring the contact of the stylus 52 with two successive bars or contacts 41 in order to register a whole degree-day.

The magnetic counter |68, shown semi-diagrammatically in Fig. 12, is provided with an upper set or series of windows |94 and a second or lower set or series of windows |95. The second set or series of Windows |95 may be employed for indicating the number of degree-days in short periods of time such as daily or Weekly while the first set of windows |94 would be employed for indicating the total number of degree-days in a normal heating season, such as from the rst of September to the last of the following June. The magnetic counter |68 is shown as utilizing the one-half digits in the iirst windows or openings of each series and it is to be understood that the digits or figures which appear in said Windows |94 and |95 to the left of the one-half character accumulate in the same manner as any counter, accumulating the full degree-days in each twenty-four hour period. It is also to be understood that the counter includes mechanism whereby the indicating characters or digits may be returned to zero at the ends of given periods, those in the windows |95, as above noted, and if so desired, at the end of each day or week While those in the windows |94, again as noted above, at the end of the heating season.

In the above description the counting motor switch |09 is described as controlled by the cam disc |03 while the magnetic counter switch is described as controlled by the cam disc |04 said disc being driven in unison for sequential operation of said switches. As illustrated in Figs. 13 and le the discs |03 and |04 may be combined into a single disc |96 which has therein a single notch |91. In this case the microswitches |09 and H9 are mounted in vertical alignment with the switch actuating roller i I2, of the switch |09, in the notch |91 and the switch actuating roller l i5, of the switch l0, in peripheral contact with the cam disc |96. The said cam disc |96 has proiecting therefrom the driving pins |05 and |06 for the same purpose as such pins carried by the cam disc |011.

The operation of the modified construction in `Eigs. 13 and le is identical with that above described with the microswitch |09 being utilized for maintaining the rotation of the counter motor 92 and the microswitch l0 being employed after a degree-day has been recorded for operating the magnetic counter |68.

It is believed now evident that there has been provided a degree-day register and accumulator that otherwise accomplishes the objects initially set forth.

What is claimed is:

1. In a device of the class described the combination with means for detecting temperature degree changes within a given range during a given time interval, of a primary electric circuit completed upon the detection of each temperature degree change, and means for maintaining the primary circuit complete and operative for a time interval following the temperature degree change detection, comprising a circuit closing relay in said primary electrical circuit energizable upon the completion of said primary circuit, a registering mechanism including a driving motor therefor for accumulatively registering the detected temperature degree changes, a motor electric circuit including said motor completed by the energization of said relay in the primary circuit, and a holding circuit for the motor circuit for maintaining the motor circuit after the primary circuit has been broken upon the inoperativeness of the primary circuit maintaining means and during the registering of the detected temperature degree change.

2. In a device of the class described the combination with means for detecting temperature degree changes within a given range during a given time interval, of a primary electric circuit completed upon the detection of each temperature degree change, and means for maintaining the primary circuit complete and operative for a time interval following the temperature degree change detection, comprising a circuit closing relay in said primary electrical circuit energizable upon the completion of said primary circuit, a registering mechanism including a driving motor therefor for accumulatively registering the detected temperature degree changes, a motor electric circuit including said motor completed bythe energization of said relay in the primary circuit, and a holding circuit for the motor circuit for maintaining the motor circuit after the primary circuit has been broken upon the inoperativeness of the primary circuit maintaining means and during the registering of the detected temperature degree change, said holding circuit including a normally open switch closed by the operation of the motor during the time interval the primary circuit is maintained closed after the detection of a temperature degree change.

3. In a device of the class described the combination with means for detecting temperature degree changes within a given range during a given time interval, of a primary electric circuit completed upon the detection of each temperature degree change, and means for maintaining the primary circuit complete and operative for a time interval following the temperature degree change detection, comprising a circuit closing relay in said primary electrical circuitI energizable upon the completion of said primary circuit, a registering mechanism including a driving motor therefor for accumulatively registering the detected temperature degree changes, a motor electric circuit including said motor completed by the energization of said relay in the primary circuit, and a holding circuit'for the motor circuit for maintaining the motor circuit after the primary circuit has been broken upon the inoperativeness of the primary circuit maintaining means and during the registering of the detected temperature degree change, said holding circuit including a normally open switch, means for closing said normally open switch, and means for connecting the switch closing means with the motor so that said switch closing means is operated after the motor has been in operation for a given time period but during the time interval following detection of a temperature degree change.

4. ln a device of the class described the combination with means for detecting temperature degree changes Within a given range during a given time interval, of a primary electric circuit completed upon the detection of each temperature degree change, and means for maintaining the primary circuit complete and operative for a time interval following the `.temperature .degree change detection, comprising a circuit 'closing relay in `said primary `electrical circuit lenerg`iz able upon the completion of :said `primarycircuit, a registering mechanism including a driving motor therefor forl accumulatively registeringthe detected temperature degree changes, a -motor electric circuit `including said motor -completed by the energization of said relay in :the primary circuit, and a holding circuit for the motor ecircuit for maintaining the vrnctor .circuitraiter 'the primary circuit has been broken upon .the ,inoperativeness of the primary circuit -maintaining means and during the registeringlof the detected temperature degree change, Vsaid holding circuit including a normally `open switch, means forrclosing said switch, and .a jcam associated 'with said motor and operable thereby for .actuating the switch closing means within the time interval of maintenance of the primaryelectricaliclrcuit fol lowing the detection of Va :temperature degree change.

5. 1n a ydevice .of the class described thecombination with means for Ydetecting temperature degree changes within a `given Irange .during a given time interval, of la primaryelectric Ycircuit completed upon the detection `of each .temperature degree change, and means onmaintaining the primary circuit `complete .and operative for a time interval following Ythe temperature degree change detection, comprising a .circuit closing relay in said primary `electrical circuit energiz- 'able upon thecompletion vof said primary circuit, a registering mechanism including a driving motor therefor for accumulativelyregistering,the detected temperature degree changes, :a motor electric vcircuit including said motor completed by the -energization of saidV relay in the :primary circuit, a holding circuit for the motorcircuit'for maintaining the :motor Ycircuit Aafter :the 4primary circuit has been broken upon `the linoperativeness of the `primary circuit maintaining means and iduring the registering of the detected temperature degree change, anelectro-lmagnetic counter, and :means operable by said .motor during the rotation thereof by the holding lcircuit 'forrenergizing the electro-magnetic counter,

6. Engadevice of the class described the 'combination with means for detecting .temperature degree changes ywithin ka given range vduring a given ytime interval, iofla primary electric circuit completed uponthe .detection rof veach temperaturedegree change, and means 'for :maintaining the primary circuit complete and'operative'forua time interval :following lthe :temperature degree changedetection, comprising acircuit closing relayT in said primary electrical circuit energizable upon the completion .of said primary circuit, a registering mechanism including a driving .motor therefor for accumulatively registering ithe detected temperature degree changes, ,a motor electric circuit including said motor completed bythe energization-of said relay `in the primary circuit, a holding circuit including .a :normally open switch forthe motor circuit :for maintaining the motor circuit lafter 'the -primaryrcircuit has been'brolren upon Ythefinoperativeness of the-,primary circuit maintaining means andduringthe registering vof the detected `temperature :degree change, anl electro-magnetic.counter, a. circuit'inclucling a normally closed spring operated switch which must be operated Vfor energizing .the electroemagneticcountenand means operable' bythe motor vfor closing the normally open switch Aand completing Vthe motorfholding circuit and` operatv16 ing the normally `closed switch to, energize the electroemagnetic counter.

'i'. 'fIn ardevice .of `the class described the combination with means for detecting temperature degree changes within a given range during a given :time interval, of a primary electric circuit completed upon the detection of each temperature Vdegree change, ,and means for maintaining the primary circuit complete and .operative for a time interval rfollowing the .temperature degree change detection, comprising a circuit closing relay `in saidlprimary electrical circuitenergizable upon the completion thereof, a registered mechanism including a driving motor therefor for `accumulativeiy registering the detected ytemperature degree changes, a motor .electric vcircuit including said motor completed by :the energization of said relay in the primary circuit, ra .holding circuit including a norniaiiy open switch for the motor circuit for maintaining the motor circuit after 4the primary v.circuit has been broken upon the inoperativeness of :the primary circuit lmaintaining :means and during the :registering of the temperature degree change, an electro-magnetic counter, a ,circuit including a normally closed spring operated switch which must be operated for energizing the electro-magnetic counter, a plunger associated with the motor holding circuit normally lopen switch andradapted to operate the same, `a second Vplunger associated with the electroFmagnetic l counter' circuit spring actuated-normally 4closed switchand adapted to operate the same, and .cams operable by the motor for actuating the switches plungers.

In aidegree-,day register, a counting circuit having parte adapted ,to -be put in and `out of electric contactto energize Ysaid'circuit, a totalizinggregister, means-adapted-to operate said register 'in response :to `energization of said circuit, degree-day ,detecting means which detects each degree day 'as ityoccurs Vby causing electrical contact between said zparts, `the arrangement of said circuit, parts, register, register-operating means and detecting means being such that the electrioal contact between the Yparts must remain undisturbedgfor a finite time after each contact caused byfdetection oi a -degree day `in order that the said degree-day be Vregistered accurately, andmeans .operated by the first said means when said circuitiis energized to maintain ,energization of -the-rst said means only for a sufficient time and independently of whether the said parts are in contact to permit each detected degree-day to be properly registered by said register.

:9. Ina degree-day register, a detector for detecting eac'ndegree'day as it occurs and formed by parts `which are adapted `to come into ccntact `when a degree-fday is detected and remain in undisturbed contact a inite time after each contact, a primary electric circuit including the coil of an `electromagnetic relay and which circuit isyclosed and said gcoii energized by the coming `,together Aof :said .parts as each degree day occurs, a register for registering each degree day as it occurs, means connectedwith and adapted to operatesaid register, an electric operating circuit ,including switch contacts associated with the ,primary circuit electromagnetic vrelay and connected, .therewith for actuating the register operating means and which operating circuit is energized by the primary circuit through the electromagnetic reiay therein, 4and a normally open 4holding circuit completed `by the register operating .means for maintaining said register operating means Y operating .circuit complete only I7 for? ai'. suflicientA time and. independently of Whether? the Said pal-itsallel inf Contact td' permit each; detected. degree' day to bei properly registered bythe. register;

' 1'0. Inl a degree'day register,v a-dcte'ctor for' deltectiirg; caen degree' day as it occurs and: formeel by" parts Wliichl atei adapted to? Comeinto Contact W-Iien ai degre'el-day' is detected andi rie al'nl in un disturbed'V contact a finite time` after' contact, a1 primary electric circuit in'c'ludnig. the coil or an electromagnetic relay and: which circuiti is closed and said coil energizedthe comingtogether' of said partsasea-chl degree day occurs, a register for registering each degree day as it occurs, means connected` with andL adapted to oper-ateV saidl register, an electric operating-lcircuit including switch contactsassociated with the primary circuit electromagnetic relay and connected therewith' for actuating.' the register operating-means and u v'ch operating circuit is energizedby the primary circuit through the electromagnetic relay therein, a normally open li'oldingl circuit including a normall-yfopen switch closed bythe register operating means-1 for maintaining said register operating means operating circuit complete only for asufcient time and independently of whether thefsaid parts are in contact to permit each detected degree day to be properly registered by the register, and means operable by the register operating means for closing said normally open switch and which switch closing is effected during the aforementioned nite time that the parts are in contact.

11. In a degree-day register, a detector for detecting each degree day as it occurs and formed by parts which are adapted to come into contact when a degree-day is detected and remain in undisturbed contact a iinite time after each contact, a primary electric circuit including the coil of an electromagnetic relay and which circuit is closed and said coil energized by the coming together of said parts as each degree day occurs, a register for registering each degree day as it occurs, means connected with and adapted to operate said register, an electric operating circuit including switch contacts associated with the primary circuit electromagnetic relay and connected therewith for actuating the register operating means and which operating circuit is energized by the primary circuit through the electromagnetic relay therein, a normally open holding circuit including a normally open switch, and a cam operable by the register operating means for closing the holding circuit normally open switch and which switch closing is effected during the finite period of time that the parts are in contact for maintaining said register operating means operating circuit complete only for a suflicient time and independently of whether the said parts are in Contact to permit each detected degree day to be properly registered by the register.

12. In a device of the class described, the combination of a degree-day detector for detecting degree days during a definite period of time, comprising a rotatable member having a surface movable through a denite path of rotation during said definite period of time, Contact means having spaced contact portions distributed over the surface of said rotatable member along the path of rotation of said member, the number of said contact portions per given length of path of rotation of the rotatable member varying progressively transversely of the direction of rotation of the rotatable member, a temperature controlled and movable member having a contact co- "I8 op'eiating` witnsaid rotatable member' contact portions; said@ temperature' controlled and`A mov'- abl'e member' contactfbe'ing'- adaptedior'i'ndividual Contact association Witlthe" rotatable member contact portions by movement or said. movable niemeer transversely of said` patrior rotation, a register: for'4 rcg'istering and accumulating the number` of?v contacts between' the' rotatable meme b'e'l'f contact portions andA theAv temperature' con'- tr-olledl and movable' member contact occurring while the rotatab1ememberis moving; through its pathi of rotation, means-'for actuating the-register, means; includingd thel rotatable member contact portions? and? the temperature? controlled and rfiovablet member Contact operlatingl theregister actuating means uponinitiali contact of said' tem*- perature controlled and movable member Contact and a' rotatablemember contact` portion' and opferable dur-'ing4 the durationv of contact of said con*- tacts, and additionalv ine-ansr operableY byy the last mentionedmeans forv` continuing; the operation ther register actuating means only for aisuflicient time andv independently of whether the' said contactsi` aref inf Contactl to? permit eachl detected del grec day tofbeproperly registeredi by theregister.

13. Inl a'- device' of' the class described',- the^com= bination of adegree-dayf detector for detecting degree days during a delinite period of time, comprising a rotatable member having a surface movable through a deiinite path of rotation during said deiinite period of time, contact means having spaced contact portions distributed over the surface of said rotatable member along the path of rotation of said member, the number of said contact portions per given length of path of rotation of the rotatable member varying progressively transversely of the direction of rotation of the rotatable member, a temperature controlled and movable member having a contact cooperating with said rotatable member contact portions, said temperature controlled and movable member contact being adapted for individual contact association with the rotatable membercontact portions by movement of said movable `'member transversely of said patch of rotation, a register for registering and acculnulating the number of contacts between the rotatable member contact portions and the temperature controlled and movable member contact occurring while the rotatable member is moving through its path of rotation, an electric motor connected with and for actuating the register, a normally open electric circuit including the rotatable member contact portions and the temperature controlled and movable member contact closed by and upon contact of one of said rotatable melnber contact portions and the temperature controlled and movable member contact operating and maintaining said operation of the motor for the time interval that a contact portion of said rotatable member and the temperature controlled and movable member contact are in contact, and additional means operable by the register motor during the operation thereof by the aforesaid electric circuit for continuing the operation of the motor only for a sufiicient time and independently of whether the said contacts are in contact to permit each detected degree day to be properly registered by said register.

14. In a device of the classV described, the combination of a degree-day detector for detecting degree days during a denite period of time, comprising a rotatable member having a surface movable through a definite path of rotation 19 during said definite priod of time, contact means having spaced contact portions distributed over the surface of said rotatable member along the path of rotation of said member, the number `of said contact portions per given length of path of rotation of the rotatable member varying progressively transversely of the direction of rotation of the rotatable member, a temperature controlled and movable member having a contact cooperating with said rotatable member contact portions, said temperature controlled and movable member contact being adapted for individual contact association with the rotatable member contact portions by movement of said movable member transversely of said path of rotation, a register for registering and accumulating the number of contacts between the rotatable member' contact portions and the temperature controlled and movable member contact occurring while the rotatable member is moving through its path of rotation, an electric motor connected with and for actuating the register, a normally open electric circuit including the rotatable member contact portions and the temperature controlled and movable member contact closed by and upon contact of one of said rotatable member contact portions and the tem- 20 perature controlled and movable member contact operating and maintaining said operation of the motor for the time interval that a contact portion of said rotatable member and the temperature controlled and movable member contact are in contact, and a normally open holding circuit closed by the motor and connected therewith for maintaining the operation of the said motor only for a suicent time and independently of Whether the said contacts are in contact to permit each detected degree day to be properly registered by said register.

ELMO D. HIDY.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,338,715 Welch May 4, 1920 1,412,586 Welch Apr. 11, 1922 2,505,521 Boyajian Apr. 25, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 225,954 Germany Sept. 22, 1910 26,257 Great Britain June 5, 1913 of 1912 

